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Symptoms of new ‘Cicada’ Covid variant as BA.3.2 strain detected in UK

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The Covid variant BA.3.2 has been detected in 23 countries, including the UK

A new Covid-19 variant has been detected in the UK, health officials have confirmed. The BA.3.2 variant, dubbed the ‘Cicada’ variant, is currently being monitored, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The latest UKHSA data, which looks at positive Covid tests between February 16 and March 1, shows two per cent of cases in England are the BA.3 variant. However, experts warn the new strain is ‘expected to become the dominant strain’ in the UK.

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The latest variant has been confirmed in 23 countries since it was first detected in November 2024, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was declared a ‘variant under monitoring’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 5, 2025.

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According to the WHO, a ‘variant under monitoring’ needs prioritised attention due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other strains of the virus. Despite this, officials say it is not believed to cause more severe disease or different symptoms to currently circulating Covid strains.

How concerning is the ‘Cicada’ Covid variant?

BA.3.2 is descended from the Omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021. It also carries 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein, the part of the virus that helps it get into cells, according to the CDC, suggesting that the it might evade immunity or that the vaccine may not be as effective against it.

However, the WHO says ‘currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to continue providing protection against severe disease’, despite its differences to circulating strains.

“Overall, available evidence suggests that BA.3.2 poses low additional public health risk compared with other circulating Omicron descendent lineages,” the WHO report added.

It said in December last year that ‘there are no clinical or epidemiological data to suggest that BA.3.2 infection is associated with increased disease severity, diagnostic failure or reduced susceptibility to available antivirals compared with other Omicron descendent lineages’.

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It added that the new variants ‘pronounced immune-escape profile’ – its potential ability to evade immunity – warrants continued monitoring from Covid experts.

Will Covid cases rise in the UK?

The latest UKHSA data shows Covid is currently circulating at baseline levels, with positive tests and hospital admissions remaining stable.

Prof Ravi Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic, told The Mirror: “This is different from the [Covid-19] viruses we have been dealing with for the last two years.”

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Prof Gupta said: “It has been found in the UK, has been increasing in prevalence and I would expect it to become the dominant strain. BA.3.2 is undergoing testing right now. We have been looking at it in terms of immune evasion and the immunity that we’ve all got.”

He added: “Some people have done analysis on this suggesting it may be more prevalent among young children. Children get infections all the time but this might be something to do with the fact that they have never been exposed to Covid vaccines.

“So this is something we’re looking at in the lab to try and work out why. The problem with this is that it is an infection that spreads fast. Eventually it ends up in someone who is vulnerable.”

Symptoms of the new variant are expected to be the same as circulating Covid strains. According to the NHS, these include:

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  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • an aching body
  • a headache
  • a sore throat
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick or being sick

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BBC confirms Death in Paradise to be replaced by two hit shows

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Death in Paradise is over once again with fans having to wait until December for its Christmas special.

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The BBC has confirmed it will broadcast not just one but two popular shows in Death in Paradise‘s slot this week.

Death in Paradise series 15 came to an end last week with DI Mervin Wilson (played by Don Gilet) getting acquainted with his cheeky niece Eloise Clarke (Avah Cotterell).

Viewers have since been questioning what will be shown instead in the beloved cosy crime drama’s time slot, with the BBC now revealing the return of two programmes.

This Friday (3 April) will see the comeback of long-running satirical news quiz Have I Got News For You, presented by actor and comedian Roy Wood Jr, at 9pm.

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He will be accompanied by satirist and writer Armando Iannucci, journalist Anushka Asthana, as well as team captains journalist Ian Hislop and comedian Paul Merton.

Following Have I Got News For You at 9.30pm, which would typically be halfway through a fresh Death in Paradise episode, comes the debut of sitcom The Young Offenders series five.

The Irish comedy-drama chronicles the misadventures of teenagers Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy) and Jock O’Keeffee (Chris Walley) who become entangled in petty crimes and unexpected romances.

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The Young Offenders, which is adapted from the 2016 film of the same name, was originally inspired by real-life events, following one of the largest cocaine seizures in Irish history in 2007.

A small vessel encountered difficulties off the coast of Cork and as two men attempted to stay afloat, a staggering 1.5 tonnes of cocaine was subsequently recovered from the sea.

Since its premiere in 2018, fans have been unable to resist lauding the sitcom, with some dubbing it “Irish comedy at its finest”.

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One viewer remarked: “An absolute gem. I loved the film but this is far better.”

They added: “Give them both a watch you won’t regret it!”

Another labelled it as “utter genius” before stating: “The best Irish comedy since Father Ted. It’s a must see.”

Another individual commented: “Hard not to binge! Every episode had me in stitches.”

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They continued: “I’m not usually one for comedy but this show is gold.”

While another enthusiast contributed: “Just brilliant! What else can be said, loved it.”

Have I Got News For You returns on Friday, April 3, at 9pm, and The Young Offenders season five premieres at 9.30pm on BBC One.

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England vs Japan LIVE: Latest score and updates as Mitoma goal stuns hosts in pre-World Cup friendly

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Sloppy and sluggish

Great goal, well deserved. Palmer was sloppy on the ball but his teammates didn’t help much, in fairness. Anderson and Mainoo were sluggish to shut down the counterattack in the first instance and the latter didn’t do enough to cut off the cross to Mitoma.

Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley31 March 2026 20:12

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GOAL! England 0-1 Japan (Mitoma)

23 min: This is a very nice goal from Japan’s point of view but a bit of a nightmare for England. Kaoru Mitoma starts and finishes it after nicking the ball from Palmer deep in Japan’s half. They counter rapidly and the ball is eventually worked from left to right for Mitoma to side-foot home first time.

Alan Smith31 March 2026 20:11

England 0-0 Japan

19 min: Now Japan tap it around from left to right and back again without facing too much pressure before a long punt forward is collected by Konsa. It is worked forward to Palmer, whose lofted through ball is directed to no-one in particular. The TV pictures cut to Tuchel, sitting uncomfortably on a drinks box in the style of Bielsa.

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Anthony Gordon tries to make inroads against Japan.
Anthony Gordon tries to make inroads against Japan. (The FA via Getty Images)

Alan Smith31 March 2026 20:06

England 0-0 Japan

16 min: Japan drop deep and England pass it across the back at a tame enough pace while waiting for a gap to open. When it does Palmer finds Gordon with a firm, low pass and his one-touch attempt to find Foden drifts away.

(John Walton/PA Wire)

Alan Smith31 March 2026 20:02

England 0-0 Japan

12 min: Better from England. Foden wins a free kick down the left. Palmer delivers and after some ping pong it is cleared only far enough to allow White to drive down the right and his cross wins a corner. A couple of half-chances, from Guehi and Palmer, are blocked. Still, it’s the first clear sign of attacking intent after a sticky start.

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Alan Smith31 March 2026 19:59

England 0-0 Japan

9 min: Better from England as they work it patiently down the right with Rogers, Palmer and White involved – though the move does not end with much of note in the final third.

Alan Smith31 March 2026 19:56

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Tuchel unhappy

A little bit sloppy from England so far on the ball, and Tuchel has just lost it with his centre-backs after they both stood off and allowed Japan’s striker, Ayase Ueda, to bring down a long ball unchallenged.

Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley31 March 2026 19:54

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England 0-0 Japan

5 min: Not the ideal start for the hosts as Japan’s high press twice contributes to some worryingly slack defending – first a hasty challenge from Ben White allows a cross in from England’s right, then a mix-up down the left sees Marc Guehi hesitate before the danger is finally cleared.

(Getty Images)

Alan Smith31 March 2026 19:53

Kick-off! England 0-0 Japan

And we’re off with England, in their latest new home kit, getting us underway from right to left as we watch. Japan are in dark blue shirts, socks and white shorts.

Alan Smith31 March 2026 19:46

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Almost time

The teams are out, they are lining up for the pre-match formalities and we’re moments away from England’s last game before heading across the Atlantic.

Viewers in the UK can watch the game for free on ITV1. The friendly will also be streamed on ITVX.

Alan Smith31 March 2026 19:42

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Prince Harry’s latest feud with the press is over (for now). Here are seven key takeaways

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Katie Nicholl, the former Mail on Sunday Mail Royal Editor, and Rebecca English, the Daily Mail’s current Royal Editor, were repeatedly asked where information about Prince Harry had come from. They said they, or their sources, were on the fringes of his social circle. And his friends talked.

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England vs Japan: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h results, odds today

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Japan, meanwhile, left it late to beat Scotland at the weekend and have now won their last four international matches in a row.

Date, kick-off time and venue

England vs Japan is scheduled for a 7.45pm BST kick-off tonight, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The match will take place at Wembley Stadium.

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Where to watch England vs Japan

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST.

England vs Japan team news

Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also dropped out, thus leaving Tuchel with a revised 27-man squad to choose from against Japan. Jude Bellingham will not be risked due to his ongoing fitness issues.

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Jordan Pickford could return in goal. In front of him could be a defence that includes Dan Burn, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, though Tino Livramento is an option at right-back.

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Roberto de Zerbi: Italian becomes new Tottenham boss

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Tottenham have appointed Roberto de Zerbi as their new head coach after the Italian signed a five-year contract with the club.

The former Brighton boss has seven games to save the club from relegation to the Championship.

If they do go down, he does not have a relegation clause that would allow him to walk away.

In two months’ time, Spurs’ third boss of the season will have either secured his place as a hero at the club, or be forever connected to one of the worst campaigns in their history.

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He said: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.

“In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.

“Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season.”

De Zerbi has been the overwhelming first choice to become the club’s new permanent head coach.

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BBC Sport reported on Sunday that De Zerbi was the man Spurs wanted to replace Igor Tudor, who officially left the club by mutual consent over the weekend.

Talks have been ongoing since Sunday and those discussions have been successful.

De Zerbi was always open to taking the Spurs position, but it is understood he initially showed a reluctance to accept the job before the end of the season.

But the coach, who left Marseille earlier this year, has been persuaded to take the job immediately.

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Tottenham are 17th in the Premier League, just one point outside of the relegation zone and without a win in the competition in 2026.

Should they fail to beat the drop, it would go down as one of the league’s most remarkable relegations.

Sporting director, Johan Lange, said: “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.

“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”

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After guiding Brighton to European qualification during his stint in the Premier League between 2022 and 2024, De Zerbi took Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season before leaving in February.

The Italian’s first match as Tottenham boss will be a trip to Sunderland on 12 April, followed six days later by a home game against his former club Brighton. Their remaining fixtures are home matches against Leeds and Everton, and trips to Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea.

“He will be having his own way – he’s quite a character,” former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He’s a very outspoken manger. He’s a manager in a similar way to Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte that Tottenham have had in the past.”

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Gillygate in York closed and cordoned-off following crash

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Gillygate in York closed and cordoned-off following crash

Emergency services were called to Gillygate, near its junction with Bootham, around 1pm today (Tuesday, March 31).

The cordon, which extends from Sore Thumb Retro Games to Fusion Hair and Beauty in the street, includes a First Bus – thought to have been involved in the incident.


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Police have closed a lane of Gillygate, with officers currently at the scene co-ordinating traffic.

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A First Bus is believed to have been involved in the crash (Image: Newsquest)

A staff member at nearby business Love Cheese said of the crash: “We didn’t actually see anything as it has been so busy.

“The police popped in because we have a camera pointing in the general direction.

“There were ambulances at the scene but officers said everyone was ok, so that’s good.”

A police car and officers remain on the scene (Image: Newsquest)

A member of the public said a person is believed to have been involved in the crash, and that police had been seen questioning potential witnesses and had taken fingerprints.

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Police said that no further information could be released at this time and an appeal for further information has yet to be launched.

Business along the road remain open, with Mali Thai Food – which is included in the cordon – operating a takeaway service to avoid any interruptions to the investigation.

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Senne Lammens has finally proven Man United’s David de Gea decision right

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Manchester United’s summer signing Senne Lammens has enjoyed a stellar debut season for the Reds and is destined to go to the World Cup

Manchester United’s fanbase have arguably never been so torn as when the club finally announced David de Gea would be leaving at the end of the 2022/23 season. The final player remaining from the Reds’ last Premier League title winning season was unceremoniously released after weeks of uncertainty.

As one of the club’s elder statesman, De Gea was a high earner and United were keen to reduce his salary if he were to stay. This was because Erik ten Hag wanted a new goalkeeper who could play out from the back and were the Spaniard to remain, he would have to settle for being second choice.

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Towards the end of that season, De Gea was under increased scrutiny after a number of shaky performances. His display in the 2023 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City sealed his fate and, while there were conflicting thoughts as to whether the decision was right or not, everyone agreed De Gea deserved a better exit.

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Once the decision was made, all eyes were on the future and Andre Onana’s arrival was greeted warmly. The Cameroon international arrived having helped Inter reach the Champions League final and was renowned for playing out from the back.

However, what no one took into account was how few shots Onana faced at Inter. They were a dominant side in Italy and their strong defensive structure protected the goalkeeper. At Old Trafford, the Champions League finalist was found out.

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In the 2022/23 season, the Reds conceded just 43 Premier League goals. This shot up to 58 in Onana’s debut campaign and dropped slightly to 54 last season, albeit goal scoring was sacrificed to shore up the defence.

With the jury firmly out on Onana in the 2023/24 season, many United fans were calling to bring back De Gea. The goalkeeper took the unconventional step of taking a year out of the game to spend time with his family while keeping in shape by regularly training at local National League club Altrincham.

De Gea was not getting any younger and re-signing him would have made United look desperate. What they needed to accept was Onana’s limitations.

He was not consistent enough for the Premier League, especially for a team who conceded so many shots to the opposition. Only at the start of the 2025/26 campaign did United realise the error of their ways.

An injury for Onana in pre-season allowed Altay Bayindir to take on the No.1 role. And, after another disappointing Onana performance against League Two Grimsby Town, Ruben Amorim finally pulled the trigger and signed another goalkeeper to take on the role of first choice.

Senne Lammens was a risk when he arrived. He had never played in one of the top five European leagues and he only had one full season to his name in senior football.

And yet, the Reds have discovered a goalkeeper who has reassured the defence with his composure and competence. Whether Lammens will go on to have the career of De Gea remains to be seen.

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But we are no longer agonising over goalkeeper errors week in, week out as we were throughout Onana’s time as first choice and even during the final months of De Gea’s spell. Lammens has proven to be not only cheap but consistent.

United know what they are getting with him in goal. It has taken three years but finally United have managed to prove their decision to release De Gea was right.

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Disco balls and rent cap promises as the Green Party launches its election campaign

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Wales Online

Anthony Slaughter, Zack Polanski, and a sea of candidates gathered in what is normally an antiques fayre to formally launch the Green Party’s Senedd election campaign. West Wharf Gallery in Cardiff was fitted out with plants and disco balls for the event.

The Greens are going into this election promising to freeze rent, abolish the current tax system and bring bills down. And the Mr Polanski and Mr Slaughter told the optimistic gathering they would be “the kingmakers” of the upcoming election.

The most recent YouGov poll projects the party will take home 12% of the vote, which projections suggest would translate into 10 seats. If the poll projections are repeated on election day on Thursday, May 7, it would represent a staggering breakthrough for the party which have never had a member of the Senedd elected before. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Although Mr Slaughter was reluctant to quote the exact number of seats the latest poll projects, preferring to say ‘at least six or seven’, the second-placed candidate for his constituency, Tessa Marshall, was more than happy to quote the figures and was met with applause.

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One of the party’s best results in Wales was two years ago at the 2024 General Election when Anthony Slaughter came second to Labour’s Stephen Doughty in the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency, collecting 14% of the vote.

The result that has energised the Welsh side of a party which has been buoyed by the popularity of new leader Zack Polanski. Their pitch to voters is that they are only the real left-wing option on the ballot paper.

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The boom the party has experienced has also changed Mr Polanski’s ‘number one priority’. The leader of the party in England and Wales said when he was elected his key goal was getting Mr Slaughter elected to the Senedd in Caerdydd Penarth. Now he’s dreaming bigger.

When asked whether this potentially newfound success could lead to a split of the current England and Wales party, both Mr Slaughter and Mr Polanski refused to rule out the possibility of the party forming their own Welsh set-up. Mr Polanski said that if the party were to approach him and say they wanted to do so, his reaction would be, ‘understood, how can I help’.

While the mood was positive, some people had apparently headed to the Cardiff University sparc building where the launch was originally planned to take place. One person also said to the person he was sat next to, ‘I hope I get a copy of the manifesto’, which was wishful thinking given it was a campaign launch not a manifesto launch.

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What are the party promising to deliver in the Senedd?

  • To replace the broken council tax system.
  • An immediate rent freeze moving on to rent controls.
  • Build social housing at the scale and pace needed.
  • Put Welsh Water back into public ownership.
  • Bring in a £1 bus fare.

While their full manifesto is yet to be announced housing and bills appear to be central to their plans, rather than any future talk of independence for Wales.

Mr Slaughter said: “We’ve got to make Wales better for people before we have this conversation about devolution in the future.”

Mr Polanski added: “Before we even talk about independence the much more important conversation right now is making sure we get Green Senedd members into the Welsh Government who can be there to fix the problems that are facing people today that are not problems of independence but of high bills and needing better political representation.”

After Ms Marshall said the party would “bring bills down from day one”, Mr Slaughter said they planned to do so through rent controls, insulating homes, and bringing in an immediate rent freeze.

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Explaining how they’d do so, he said: “We need rent controls but we know they can be complicated and they can have unexpected consequences. That’s why we’ll be calling for a rent freeze on day one. Just for a limited period of time a rent freeze would give us some breathing space while we figure out how to deliver fair rent controls.

“We’ll start with a programme of retrofitting and insulating people’s homes to get their bills down. The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use. Some of these things will take time but people will see a real difference in their material lives at the end of the four days.”

Ms Marshall added: “We need to devolve water to Wales because we need to bring Dwr Cymru into public ownership and make sure they are no longer polluting our rivers and making the people in Wales pay some of the highest water bills across the UK.”

Mr Polanski also refused to agree with Nigel Farage that the Senedd vote was “a referendum on Keir Starmer’s premiership”. Mr Polanski said: “I’m never going to take the opportunity to agree with Nigel Farage. What this election is about is people in Wales – their bills and having a better standard of living.”

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Burglars target building on main road through Harrogate

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Burglars target building on main road through Harrogate

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Ben Fogle won’t return to China as ‘authorities won’t be happy’ with footage

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The TV presenter and adventurer travels around China in his new Channel 5 documentary

Ben Fogle has confessed he captured footage the authorities “won’t be happy with” while making his new documentary about China.

The TV host and explorer travelled across the country for his Channel 5 programme Ben Fogle in China, which begins next week (April 6), and told Radio Times it was “the most interesting travel journey” he had ever undertaken, the Mirror reports.

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However, the New Lives in The Wild star added: “I’m reconciled to the fact I might not be returning to China any time soon.

“We had to think very carefully, because there are a number of things we filmed that the authorities there won’t be happy with. We did have a government-assigned observer with us, but they’d often disappear when the temptation of tea and cakes arose.”

“So our documentary is a pretty accurate insight into our ‘lived experience’ out there,” the presenter remarked.

READ MORE: Ben Fogle’s wife admits fears ‘marriage wouldn’t last’ after huge mistakeREAD MORE: Ben Fogle pays tribute to late castaway ‘who found joy after losing millions’

In the programme, Ben visits The Great Wall, appears as an extra in a production filmed at the world’s largest outdoor film studio, and discovers Chinese medicine markets.

He visits a cockroach farm where the creatures are used to produce products such as toothpaste and shampoo, and he also witnesses the rice terraces at Longji. The presenter also tours a facility preparing giant pandas for reintroduction into the wild during his expedition.

“I’ve travelled to some of the most remote corners of the world, but China is a place I’ve never explored until now,” he commented when the programme was announced.

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“This was an incredible opportunity to go beyond the headlines and the stereotypes and discover the real China through the people who are shaping its future. I went in search of friends and came back with some incredible stories that haven’t been told before.

“This was a challenging series, but I’m really proud of it and can’t wait to share the adventure on 5.”

Fans expressed their excitement after Ben teased the programme on Instagram, with one person writing: “Great to hear, looking forward to seeing this Ben.”

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“Really looking forward to this,” another viewer posted on the platform. “Ben is the best travel/life presenter.”

“I literally CAN’T WAIT for this,” remarked someone else.

Ben Fogle in China begins on Monday April 6 at 9pm on Channel 5.

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